Baptist Health-Little Rock recently became a Go Clear Award Gold Level recipient from the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses for its achievement in eliminating hazardous smoke from surgical procedures.
The Go Clear Award is given to recognize healthcare facilities that are committed to providing increased surgical safety by implementing practices that eliminate smoke caused by lasers and electrosurgery devices.
Surgical smoke is the unwanted by-product of energy-generating devices that are used in 90 percent of all surgeries. Inhalation and absorption of this smoke can cause serious health risks to patients and surgical staff.
Studies compare the inhalation of smoke from vaporized human tissue to the smoke created by cigarettes. The average daily impact of surgical smoke to the surgical team is equivalent to inhaling between 27-30 unfiltered cigarettes. An estimated 500,000 healthcare workers are exposed to laser or electrosurgical smoke each year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
Baptist Health-Little Rock is one of the first hospitals in Arkansas to receive this award. Baptist Health-Heber Springs also holds Go Clear Award Gold Level recognition.